1st night on CPAP tonight!

bobby_tee · Post by **bobby_tee** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:50 am

OK, I have been absent for a while. Had my titration a couple of months ago, then got sidetracked and finally was in to get my equipment today. I'm really looking forward to getting started and hopefully seeing results. Here's what I got:

REMstar Pro M Series- heated humidifier, ramp, , smart card, and C-Flex
Swift Mirage II nasal pillow mask

For my titration I had a nasal mask and it really was uncomfortable. The woman at my Dr's office, where I got my equipment, suggested the Swift mask, which comes with 3 sizes. I tried it and it seemed good. Much less annoying than the other.

My prescription is 11cm, and the ramp starts at 4 if I want it. So I guess I'm just putting this out there to see if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions as I get started. I'll definitely post my feedback as I progress. I'm hoping I can really feel a difference as I get used to this.

Cheers

Bobby

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:30 am

Welcome

I've been on CPAP a little over 3 weeks and I am seeing a BIG difference.

A friend gave me a Swift to try out. I did not like the nasal pillows simply because I did not like the air forced into my nostrils. When I was using them though, I put aloe lotion around the cushions to keep my nares from irritating me and it worked well. If you like them, stick with them by all means.

As for the machine, make sure you use distilled water in the humidifier and then empty out the tank during the day and keep it out to let it dry. Also do not fill that tank above the squiggly linees on the side.

See the post about issues with the Remstar HH tanks that leak to make sure you got the newer redesign. The tank should have a black clip with the tubes on top which are one short, one long.

Other than that, reap the benefits and ask questions.

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:36 am

Good luck Bobby!
Just remember though, this is a trial and error thing for alot of us, so don't get discouraged if the first mask/settings don't go well. Also remember how important it is to not leak (from your nose or mouth, that is). There's lots of things to help with that too.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Just be patient.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:12 am

Good luck tonight, bobby_tee! Yes, this usually takes some time to get used to and to get optimal results, but it is SO worth the effort when CPAP therapy is working as it should.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

rzr632 · Post by **rzr632** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:05 pm

Good luck Bobby. I've been on cpap for 5 weeks now. Your setup is identical to mine, except I'm at 12. You'll notice immediate changes.

I use the ramp, but I changed my initial ramp setting from a 4 to a 6.5. At a 4 I felt like I was sufficating. 4 was simply not pushing enough air for me. I was not used to breathing through the nose and I needed more pressure. When I changed it to 6.5, it was a world of difference.

Like mentioned above, there is quite a bit of trial and error in finding out exactly the settings and positions that work best for you.

Hang in there.

bobby_tee · Post by **bobby_tee** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:21 pm

Great feedback, as always. Thanks.

Here's a question: They had me make a follow up appt for 3 months from now to have the Doc check my data and make any adjustments that are needed. Seems like a long time to go before checking. If the setting is wrong or if the mask leaks, how would I know for sure?

Also, any advice on the C-flex setting? The feature is supposed to make it easier to exhale, right? They said to start it on 2 (of 3), see how it feels and adjust from there. Any thoughts?

bobby

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:46 pm

CFlex is a complete preference thing. Some people love it, some people hate it. You'll just have to experiment to see what YOU like the best.

As for the ramp, I bet by the time your'e in this thing 5 days, you won't even turn it on.

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:56 pm

As far as leaks, you will be able to hear the leaks. The one good thing about nasal pillows is as long as you have them reasonably tight, but comfortable enough, they will hardly leak and great if you are a side sleeper. Personally, I just didn't like the air forced up my nose. As Needsdecafe said, C-flex is a personal preferrence. I have it on 2 myself.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:28 pm

Welcome to the forum, Bobby_tee! Here's a few ideas to make your first night a little easier:

Make sure you try out your set-up (mask on, hose suspended above you somehow, and machine on) while lying down before you actually go to bed. Know where you are going to unplug yourself (at the machine? between the hose and your mask?) if you have to go to the bathroom during the night. Also, have an "emergency kit" handy for night-time problems.
- small flashlight
- hair scrunchie, binder clip, or string to reattach or rearrange the hose
- some kind of tie (women's tights, bandana, strip of material, etc) to secure your mask or act as a chin strap if you mouth-breathe

I don't know anything about the swift, but my nasal pillows sometimes require a piece of string, rubberband, or dental floss to tie the pillows closer together to prevent leaks.

If you have time to cover your hose with fleece, this also makes for a much more comfortable night, in my opinion.

Yes, 3 months is a long time before the follow-up. But if you have the software, you can figure out for yourself whether your therapy is on track or not. The folks here can help if you need it.

Good luck! Let us know how you make out.

Sweet Dreams,
Cathy

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:10 pm

Bobby_tee, I love that dog pic, my other dog is a yellow lab/ hound mix (Latte) with the same face, my avatar does not do justice to Dixie, my black lab. Labs are awsome, they make you feel wanted...let me know how your dogs react to the machine.

Tangents, interesting you mentioned hose placement, I have to hang mine tonight, I woke up just in time to catch the machine that was about to slide ride off the night stand since I had the hose underneath me.

bobby_tee · Post by **bobby_tee** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:18 pm

Thanks, Insomniyak. That's our Golden Retriever, Baliey, at about 6 months old. She's not over a year. What a great addition to our family! We've had a little Terrier mix for 10+ yrs, and we love her. But she's just not a 'warm' dog. The Golden is everything the Terrier is not: playful, affectionate, gentle, and incredibly loving. I think all Labs/Retrievers are like that, but I am partial to Goldens.

By the way, is it bedtime yet?

bobby

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:58 pm

If you spoil that retriever just right (like we have ours), you'll have a 75# lap dog. Some people say this is NOT normal.

bobby_tee · Post by **bobby_tee** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:03 pm

No 'ifs' about it. She'll climb right up on my lap and lay her head on my shoulder. Then when she falls asleep she'll roll over on her back.

What's so odd about that???

Billmanweh · Post by **Billmanweh** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:13 pm

Our black lab thinks he is a 100lb lap dog. If I'm at home, he's not more than about 18" from me at any time.

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:14 pm

Hi again Bobby.

One thing I meant to mention was that it was really helpful for me, when I first started out, to sit up in a chair and use it for a little while, while watching TV. It really helped me get used to it, before having to sleep all night with it.

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Resmed HumidAir 11 for humidifier